steffenblaese.com – Hey, world.

Meet the «Lotterleben»: Chaos, Comedy, and You

Welcome to the Lotterleben—a German term that literally translates to a life of misery or hardship, but let’s spin it into something more entertaining. Imagine your life as a slapstick comedy: no laugh track, just spilled coffee, lost keys, and the universe chuckling at your missteps.

«Don’t forget us!»—Artist JulieWolfthorn

Julie Wolfthorn, born Julie Wolf on January 8, 1864, in Thorn, West Prussia (now Toruń, Poland), was the youngest of five children in a Jewish family. Her birthplace held such significance for her that she incorporated it into her surname, becoming Julie Wolfthorn. Tragically, her father passed away shortly before her birth, and her mother died when Julie was just six years old. Following these losses, she and her sisters were raised by their grandmother, who relocated the family to Berlin in 1883.

The Enigmatic Beauty of Flow A Feline Journey Through Life and Nature

Flow (2024), an independent animated fantasy adventure film directed by Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis, is a breathtaking exploration of survival, resilience, and the transformative power of connection. Set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a catastrophic flood, the film follows the journey of a solitary black shorthair cat as it navigates the remnants of a submerged civilization. Forced to abandon its lone-wolf existence, the cat reluctantly joins a diverse group of animals—a capybara, a Labrador Retriever, a ring-tailed lemur, and a secretarybird—as they embark on a perilous voyage aboard a sailboat in search of safety and hope.

The Enchanting World of Kedi: A Celebration of Cats and Humanity

Kedi, a 2016 Turkish documentary directed by Ceyda Torun, is not just a film about cats; it is a heartfelt exploration of the intricate relationship between humans and animals, set against the vibrant backdrop of Istanbul. The film offers a unique perspective on the city’s street cats, who roam freely through its bustling streets, markets, and homes, becoming an integral part of its cultural and social fabric. Through stunning cinematography and intimate storytelling, Kedi captures the essence of these feline creatures while revealing profound truths about humanity, community, and coexistence.

Wildcat–A Tale of Healing and Redemption

Wildcat, a 2022 documentary directed by Trevor Frost and Melissa Lesh, is a deeply moving film that explores the intersection of human trauma, wildlife conservation, and the transformative power of connection. The film follows the story of Harry Turner, a young British veteran struggling with severe PTSD, as he embarks on a journey to the Peruvian Amazon to rehabilitate an orphaned ocelot named Keanu. What begins as a mission to save a wild animal becomes a profound exploration of healing, resilience, and the bonds that unite humans and nature.

«Stasi raus, es ist aus!»—The lastdays of the Stasi

On February 8, 1950, the People’s Chamber of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) enacted one of the shortest laws in German legal history. Without prior discussion, the law was rubber-stamped within minutes. It consisted of just two succinct paragraphs:

Paragraph 1:
«The Head Office for the Protection of the National Economy, previously under the Ministry of the Interior, shall be transformed into an independent Ministry for State Security. The Law of 7 October 1949 on the Provisional Government of the German Democratic Republic (Law Gazette p. 2) is amended accordingly.»
Paragraph 2:
«This act shall come into effect on the date of its promulgation.»

Thus, the Stasi was created.

Humanity Isn’t Ready Yet: Why Colonizing Mars is Pure Science Fiction

«Misdirection. False signals. Spreading confusion. This is the Tao of deception.»—David Ignatius

There have been some pretty wild ideas throughout American history, some of which were dreamt up by presidents who were ahead of their time or, at times, just completely out there. Take John Quincy Adams, for example. In the early years of his presidency, Adams approved a journey to the Earth’s core (funded by taxpayers, naturally) in hopes of uncovering the mysterious worlds hidden beneath our planet’s surface. The goal? To conduct trade with the mole people living there.

Courting the Devil–The Witches of Berlin

Belief in witchcraft stretches back to the dawn of human history, with ancient societies across the globe attributing supernatural powers to certain individuals, often with a mix of fear and reverence. Among the Germanic tribes, long before the spread of Christianity, sorceresses and seers were integral to their cultural and spiritual fabric. Magic was not a mere superstition but a tangible force, woven into the very reality of their existence. These early beliefs laid the groundwork for later perceptions of witchcraft as a dark and malevolent power. As Christianity expanded during the Middle Ages, particularly through the eastward push into regions like the Mark Brandenburg in the 12th and 13th centuries, the concept of witchcraft underwent a sinister transformation. The notion that witches had forsaken God to forge pacts with the devil became a pervasive narrative across the German-speaking world, casting them as agents of evil who wielded black magic for nefarious ends.

Roots of Power: The Three German-American Presidents Who Shaped U.S. History

More than half of all U.S. presidents have Irish ancestry, while only three of the 45 presidents to date have or had German roots. These three—whose ancestors all came from the Electoral Palatinate, one of the main sources of German emigration to the U.S.—had little to no close connection with their ancestral homeland. Over the past centuries, millions of Germans emigrated to the United States for economic and religious reasons. By the early 21st century, German-Americans had become the largest selfreported ancestry group in the U.S., with approximately 43
million descendants—about 17% of the total population. In 24 states, German-Americans made up the majority.

The Gates of Dawn

Herbert James Draper (1864–1920) was an English artist renowned for his works in the Pre-Raphaelite style, blending mythological themes with highly detailed, emotive depictions of the human figure. One of his most celebrated works, The Gates of Dawn (1900), exemplifies his characteristic luminous and ethereal quality.